# NTSB ANC97LA040: Cessna 185, N4855C, Chugiak, AK, March 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 27, 1997, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Chugiak, AK - Coordinates: 61.109897, -149.899963 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1099&lon=-149.9000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2975 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2975/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper installation of the main landing gear wheel penetration skis, which allowed the skis to rotate to a vertical position in flight and subsequently separate during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,ski assembly - not secured (contributing factor) - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - snow covered - landing gear,ski assembly - separation ## Analysis The pilot, a licensed aviation mechanic, had just installed wheel penetration skis on the main landing gear of his personal airplane. During a subsequent test flight, the skis immediately rotated nose up to a near vertical position. The pilot continued around the traffic pattern, and landed in snow just prior to the start of the runway. The skis failed to come out of the near vertical position, and during the landing roll, one ski broke off, causing the gear leg to penetrate the snow, which allowed the right wing and elevator to strike the snow. Postaccident examination of the skis disclosed the ski check cables at the heel of the skis were excessively long. ## Factual narrative On March 27, 1997, about 1400 Alaska standard time, N4855C, a Cessna 185 airplane equipped with wheel penetration skis, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. The local, 14 CFR Part 91 postmaintenance test flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot, who is the owner of the airplane and also a certificated aviation mechanic, reported he had just installed wheel penetration skis on the airplane, and was taking the airplane for a short flight to test the skis. As soon as the airplane lifted off runway 19, he said the ski tips rotated full up, into a nearly vertical position. He maintained full power, and was able to fly the airplane around the traffic pattern and land on the snow covered terrain just short of the approach end of runway 01. The skis failed to rotate down to a normal position upon touchdown, and the airplane continued down the runway for about 100 feet. The pilot said as the airplane slowed, side loads on the right main landing gear ski caused the ski to break free of the main landing gear, and allowed the gear leg to penetrate the snow. After the right gear leg penetrated the snow, the right wing and elevator struck the snow, causing substantial damage. Postaccident inspection of the airplane's ski assemblies disclosed excessively long check cables which attach near the heel of the skis and prevent the ski tips from pitching up too far. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4855C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4855C), registered now, S/N 18502623, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 185 - Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18502623 - Airframe hours: 1826 - Engines: Continental IO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Herbert W. Hancock - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 1997, 0 hours before - Departed: BCV - Airport: BCV, Birchwood, runway 1, 4,010 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,527 total, 500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 100 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19970327003839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970327003839A), Mar 27, 1997: Cessna A185F, Birchwood, AK, Substantial damage. Ski wheel equipped 185 on test for wheel ski attachment. Check cables too long. Skis pitched up. Dug in landing. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.